How To Chase A Dream

Happy Saturday! If you’re new to THE CRAZY QUEST, you may wish to read about it here. Basically, I’m tracing my journey as I attempt to answer the question:

What would you do if you didn’t know you couldn’t do it?

This week of training: 31 miles

HOW TO CHASE A DREAM

When your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme. Jiminy Cricket

Do you agree? At the risk of seeking wisdom from a bug, is there such a thing as an inappropriate dream?”

The Crazy Quest traces the development and pursuit of a challenging—some might say “insane”—dream. Current events induce me to wonder whether others ought to judge whether a dream is appropriate.

My hometown of Fort Collins holds the dubious distinction of hosting the craziness that’s become known as the “balloon boy” incident. As media frenzy fades and facts emerge, it’s apparent that Richard Heene has been pursuing a dream.

Mr. Heene dreams of developing a career in show business, and he’s concocted some rather extraordinary schemes for attracting attention that he believes will further his dream. There’s nothing all that unusual about that—lots of folks in our media-driven culture do outrageous things in a single-minded search for any kind of attention.

This quest for attention follows the belief that there’s no such thing as bad publicity. An adage advises, “I don’t care what you say about me, just make sure you spell my name right.”

Heene’s dream wouldn’t motivate me, but that’s probably a characteristic of most worthwhile dreams. You have to own it to generate the sort of passion required to make it happen. Most dreams are personal, and we’d be better off if we stopped trying to decide whether someone else’s dream is worthwhile.

If Richard Heene wants to devote his resources and energy to a passionate pursuit of his goal, I say good for him. But I do have a problem with his methods. I’d claim that there are no wrong dreams, but there are clearly some wrong ways of going after those dreams..

Here are a few thoughts prompted by this incident. I’d like to know what you’d add.

Recruiting is fine; conscription isn’t. Few dreams are accomplished individually. You usually need support, help, and feedback. Great things happen in teams.

It’s great when you find someone who shares your vision and wants to help to transform it into reality. I’m engaged right now in seeking some folks to support The Crazy Quest. I hope you’ll be one of them.

It’s not okay to force or trick others into participating. Hoaxes, guilt trips, and other forms of coercion pollute the dream.

Risky dreams are common; risks must be voluntary. Many dreamers risk physical danger, public scorn, and financial ruin in pursuit of their goal. That’s their choice. Few great results are achieved without sacrifice.

It’s not okay to place others in danger or to force them to pay for your dream.

It’s essential to “count the cost” before you begin. This biblical principle [Luke 14] contains great wisdom for dreamers. Beginning a project is easy. The hard part is following through to completion. Jesus advises us to avoid signing up unless we intend to show up regardless of the sacrifice involved. (Sign Up Or Show Up)

There are no guarantees. But don’t begin until you understand the costs and are certain you’re willing to pay the price for success.

Those are some of my ideas. What would you add?

You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however. Richard Bach

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